Welcome to Islamophobia Awareness Month!

England cricketer Moeen Ali is the ambassador and “Seeds of Change” is the slogan for this year’s Islamophobia Awareness Month, which runs through the month of November.

Moeen Ali

The month began back in 2012, at an event in the London Muslim Centre. From that event, the not-for-profit Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) group was launched. Its vision is to see a society free from Islamophobia, in all its forms. Its tries to realise its vision by raising awareness of Islamophobia and showcasing the positive contributions Muslims make to society.

There are many forms of hate crime – and it’s not a competition. However, we do have to admit that attacks inspired by the attacker’s Islamo phobia are very high. IAM reports that Home Office data for the year ending March 2024 reveals that 38% of religious hate crimes recorded by the police were against Muslims. Doubtess constant negative stereotyping of Muslims in the media contributes to an atmosphere in which islamophobic attacks take place.

We do have to say that the month, although supported by many public sector organisations, has not made a huge splash this year. In East London, Newham and Barking & Dagenham Councils are running a full programme of events. Searches of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Redbridge and Havering produced no relevant results.

If you are holding an event to mark IAM, make sure you register it on the IAM website, where you can see a modest number of other events. You can also become a supporter and/or register your organisation as a supporter too and download lots of useful information.

●Read more about IAM, go to:
IAM

●For more information about IAM events, go to:
Newham
Redbridge